Wheeler Softball Making History
The Wheeler County High School Lady Bulldogs softball team swept their best-of-3 series against the Lady Titans of Lake Oconee Academy last week to advance in the GHSA State Playoffs. Wheeler easily won both games in dominant fashion, taking the first game 15-1 and the second 9-1, completing the sweep on Monday. With the wins the Lady Bulldogs will head to Columbus for the first time in program history.
Game 1 The Lady Bulldogs wasted no time setting the tone in the first game of the series, scoring 9 runs in the first inning on their way to a commanding 15-1 victory. Kaleigh Scott was the star of the offensive outburst, driving in an incredible 5 runs on 2 hits. Scott doubled in the first inning to score 1 run, then delivered a massive grand slam to center field in the second inning, scoring 4 more.
Wheeler's run parade in the first inning included RBI singles from Shelley Conner, Anna Ethredge, Gabby Angel, Mackenzie Johnson, and Ava Dixon, a 2-run double by Shiann Carey, and Scott's RBI double. The team piled on 6 more runs in the second, highlighted by Scott's grand continued from page
slam and an RBI single from Angel and an RBI double from Ethredge.
On the mound, Katelyn Conner was lights out for the Lady Bulldogs, surrendering only 3 hits and 1 run over 4 innings. The right-hander struck out 8 and walked 2, keeping the Lady Titans' offense completely contained.
The Lady Bulldogs’ powerful offense racked up 15 hits in the game, with Shelley Conner going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Carey, Dixon, Angel, and Ethredge each collected multiple hits. Defensively, the team was flawless, committing zero errors in the field.
Game 2
The Lady Bulldogs continued their dominance in the second game, winning 9-1 and punching their ticket to the next round of the playoffs.
Though Lake Oconee Academy was the first to score with a run in the bottom of the first, Wheeler quickly answered and took the lead in the top of the second inning with 4 runs. Katelyn Conner and Mackenzie Johnson both singled for RBIs, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly from Kaleigh Scott and an RBI single from Ava Dixon.
Wheeler extended their lead with 4 more runs in the top of the third inning, thanks to RBI singles from Shiann Carey and Kaleigh Scott. They added 1 more run in the fourth inning on the way to the 9-1 win.
Pitcher Ava Dixon was stellar in the circle, allowing only 1 hit and 1 run over 4 innings while striking out 7 and walking 4. The Lady Bulldogs' defense was once again error-free, with Laurie Conner leading the team with 6 chances in the field.
Wheeler's offense totaled 10 hits in the game, led by multiple hits from Shiann Carey, Rozilynn Cox, and Kaleigh Scott. Carey and Scott also contributed 1 runs batted in apiece. The Lady Bulldogs demonstrated patience at the plate, drawing 6 walks and showing their speed on the base paths by stealing 4 bases in the contest.
This week the Bulldogs will move on to Columbus to take part in the Elite 8 Double Elimination Tournament. This is the first time that the Lady Bulldogs have made it this far in the playoffs. Wheeler will play their first game on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. against Lanier County on Field 5. If they win that game they will play on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. against the winner of the Trion vs. Taylor County game. If Wheeler lost their first game they will play at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday against the loser of that same game.
